Candles were lit in Birmingham city centre last night to support a brave Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot in the head by the Taliban because she campaigned for women to be educated.

Malala Yousafzai, 15, was flown to the city’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Monday after she was attacked by a gunman on board a bus as she made her way home from her lessons in Mingora in the Swat Valley.

The moving vigil, which was held in the city’s Chamberlain Square at 7pm and lasted around an hour last night, was organised by Shahida Choudhury from the Birmingham Women’s Networking Hub.

Vigil held for schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai in Birmingham

“We organised this vigil and multi-faith prayer for Malala who was victim of a callous terrorist attack,” she said. “Like many across the world, the people of Birmingham are shocked and saddened to hear of Malala’s plight and stand united in condemning the horrific incident, which was the result of her campaigning for educational facilities for girls in the Swat region of Pakistan.”

The vigil was hosted by former Respect party leader and former Birmingham councillor, Salma Yaqoob, with speakers from other women’s groups.

Medics treating Malala said she was recovering well and had managed to stand up for the first time on Friday.

But they warned that the youngster, who has received an outpouring of support, was still at risk.

The bullet struck the teenager just above her left eye and grazed the edge of her brain. Had it been a fraction of an inch to the right, the shot would have killed her.

Dr Dave Rosser, medical director of the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, said that Malala was happy for him to share details of her clinical care and that she wished to thank people around the world for their support.

He said that the brave schoolgirl would need a significant period of rest and recuperation before she undergoes reconstructive surgery.

“It’s clear that Malala is not out of the woods yet,” he said. “Having said that, she is doing very well.

“In fact, she was standing with some help for the first time on Friday morning when I went in to see her. She is still showing some signs of infection which is probably related to the bullet track, and that is our key concern.”

Although Malala is currently unable to talk due to a tracheostomy tube, Dr Rosser added: “She is communicating very freely, she is writing.

“Her airway was swollen by the passing of the bullet, so in order to protect her airway she had a tracheostomy tube inserted.

“She is not able to talk, although we have no good reason to think that she will be unable to talk once this tube is out in the next few days.”

Two other women’s groups, Amina Women’s Group and Women2Gether, also staged a vigil in Birmingham city centre on Thursday.

Security at the hospital is tight after Taliban spokesmen said that they would make another attempt on Malala’s life if she survived.